Tumbler type clothes washer having releasable band drain



J. P. JORGENSON TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHER HAVINGBELEASABLE BAND DRAIN Aug. 26, 1947.

Filed March 18, 194:5

2 Sheets-She t 1 YINVENTOR. 7 M

. 197' TOE/V5545:

| I I N H H I I I I I I I I I IH I I 1947. J. P. JORGENSON 2,426,455

TUMBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHER HAVING RELEASABLE BAND DRAIN Filed March 18, 1943 2 sheets sheet 2 INVENT0R. Y

Patented Aug. 26, 1947 'IUlIBLER TYPE CLOTHES WASHER HAVING RELEASABLE BANDDRAIN John P. Jorgenson, Wilmette, 111., assignor to Filing Bros. Engineering Works, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 18, 1943, Serial No. 479,559

15 Claims. (01. 68-9144) This invention relates to improvements in washing machines.

Heretofore, in washing machines, it has been common practice to utilize a cylindrical drum having an .apertured periphery which is rotatable in a water containing outer shell. With this type of construction the water flows into and out of the apertures in the periphery of the cylinder during rotation of the latter to effect a cleansing action.

It is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved construction wherein there is no outer shell containing water and wherein a washing cylinder rotatable on a horizontal axis and having a peripheral wall which is imperforate throughout the major portion of the axial length of the cylinder contains both the water and the garments to be cleaned, there being means on the inner side of the peripheral wall of the cylinder for agitating and lifting the water to splash the same upon the garments as the cylinder rotates, with all the water confined in said cylinder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction as above described wherein th'ere are liquid discharge outlets adjacent one end of the cylinder only and improved means rotatable with the cylinder normally closing said discharge outlets, said means being readily releasable, to permit the discharge of spent liquid.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction wherein a band valve, rotatable with the cylinder, controls the discharge of water therefrom.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a device as above described wherein discharge outlets in an end wall of the cylinder communicate with an auxiliary discharge chamber, connected to said end of the cylinder, said auxiliary chamber having peripheral openings which are normally closed by a band valve, said band valve being releasable to permit discharge of liquid from the drum into a discharge trough.

A further more specific object of the invention is to provide a washing machine as above described having a valve, preferably in form of a band, together with cam mechanism rotatable with the drum, and means for tripping said cam mechanism, when desired, to move the valve to a desired position.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the improved washing machine, and all its parts'and combinations asset forth inthe claims and all equivalents thereof. In the accompanying drawings, illustrating one complete embodiment of the preferred form of theinvention, in which the same reference numerals designate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section view taken axially of the drum illustrating the improved machine;

2 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing the lower half of the front only;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale looking at the inner end of the drum to show the cam operating mechanism for the band valve, the parts being in valve opening position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in valve closing position; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately on the line .55 of Fig. 3.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the number 8 designates a suitable supporting frame having base members 9, supporting legs l0 and an outer non-rotatable housing I] supported on the base.

Alsoinounted on the base are upstanding bearing members I 2 on one side and I3 on the other side. A shaft 1 4 is vjournaled in the bearing members l2 and a shaft I5 is iournaled in the bearing members [3. The shaft 15 has rigidly mounted thereon zdrum supporting rollers l6, and similar rollers H are rigidly mounted on the shaft I 4.

An electric motor l8, or other prime mover, has its drive shaft 19 provided with a bevel gear 20 which engages albevel gear 2i on a horizontal shaft 22. The horizontal shaft 22 is adapted to drive, through a worm and worm wheel connection, the shaft 14. The forward end of the shaft i4 is equipped with a rigidly mounted sprocket Wheel 23 which is connected by an endless chain '24 with a sprocket wheel 25 mounted rigidly on the forward end of the other shaft [5. Thus operation of the motor 18, in a desired direction, causes simultaneous rotation of the two sets of drum supporting rollers l6 and. I1.

The washing cylinder or drum 26 is mounted within the fixed outer casing H for rotation on V a horizontal axis. This drum is equipped with external peripheral tracks 21 and is supported for rotation .on the rollers I B and IT. The roll- ,ers engage'within the tracks as shown in Fig. 1 and cause rotation of the drum.

'The peripheral wall portion 26' of the drum is imperforate and the front end wall 28 is provided with a, loading opening 29 which is normally closed by a door 30. At the opposite or inner endof the drum, is a wall3-l,-provided with apertures 32. These apertures preferably cover the entire wall except for the center portion thereof. Supported On the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion 26 and extending between the end walls 28 and 3| are one or more ribs 33. These ribs are adapted to lift water in the lower portion of the cylinder, as the cylinder rotates, and splash said water back on the garments. Th'e ribs also keep the water in an agitated condition and keep the garments in motion.

The openings 32 in the inner end wall 3| communicate with an auxiliary discharge chamber 34 and said discharge chamber has an imperforate end wall 35 which is spaced from the perforate end wall 3| of the cyilnder. The auxiliary discharge chamber also has a peripheral wall 36 which is formed with liquid discharge openings 31. portion 39 which projects outward beyond the perforated peripheral wall portion 36 and which is spaced from a projecting flange portion 40 on the other side to form a circular groove 4| within which a band valve 42 is mounted. This band valve is of less width than the spacing between the projecting flanges 33 and 40. The band valve is illustrated in Fig. l in open position. When it is closed it is adapted to press against sealing rings 43, of rubber or other suitable material, to prevent the escape of water from the peripheral openings 31, there being transverse sealing means 43 near both ends of the valve band, and the openings 31 being omitted adjacent the ends of the valve band.

A supply conduit 44, for fresh water, soap, steam and the like, connects With a tubular hub 45 Which projects outwardly from the wall 35. The hub portion 45 is rigidly connected to the wall 35 and said hub portion extends into and rotates within the end of the supply conduit 44. A conical member 45 connected to the end wall 35 surrounds the hub 45 and forms a circular chamber 41 therearound. A flexible sealing ring 48 projecting from the conical member frictionally engages the end of the supply conduit 44 to prevent loss of fluid at the rotating joint as the drum rotates. Any fluid which escapes from the pipe 44 into the chamber 41 passes through apertures 49 into the auxiliary chamber 34.

Rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the wall 35 by means of a stud 50 extending through its center is a valve operating member 5|. The member 5! has a plurality of radially projecting arms 52, preferably four in number. On the inner side of the member 5| is a cam groov 53. This groove is generally oval in shape as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The high parts of the groove at 54 and 55 are concentric with the member 5| for a short distance. Also located 90 from each of the high parts are portions which kink inwardly slightly as at 56 and 51. Mounted between the valve band operating member 5| and the end wall 35 are a pair of rotating studs 58 and 59. The stud 58 has an arm 50 projecting downwardly therefrom and rotatable with the stud. The lower end of the arm 60 carries a roller 6| which operates in the cam groove '53 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. Another arm 62 projects upwardly from the stud 58 and is adapted to be rigidly connected to the stud by a set screw 53. The set screw permits the angle of the arm 62 on the stud to be adjusted so that the valve band closing action may be adjusted.

Rigidly mounted on the other stud 59 is an integral member having arms 64 and 65. The arms 64 and 65 are integral on the same hub An annular angle member 38 has a 'rod 12 extends through 4 member 66. A stud 61 projecting inwardl from the upper end of the arm 62 engages an ey 63 at one end of the valve band 42, and a stud 69 projecting inwardly from the upper end of the arm 55 similarly engages the opposite end of the valve band.

The radial arms 52, in certain positions, are adapted to project well beyond the periphery of the rotating drum so as to engage with a trip roller 10 when the roller is in the position shown in Fig. 3. Referring to Fig. l the trip roller extends horizontally from a crank 1| rigidly secured to the end of a horizontal rod 12. The bearings 13 on the fixed casing II and is equipped at the front of the washing machine with a hand lever 14.

In use of the device, and with the band valve in the closed position of Fig. 4, the drum is first filled with water and other cleansing materials through the supply pipe 44. This liquid first enters the auxiliary chamber 34, and then because the band valve 42 is closed it passes through the openings 32 of the wall 3| into the drum proper. The garments to be cleaned have, of course, been previously placed in the drum through the opening 29 and the door 30 has been closed. Upon operation of the electric motor Hi the drum will be rotated at a desired speed for washing. After the washing action has taken place for a desired period and it is desired to remove the washing liquid from the drum the hand lever 14 of Fig. 1 is turned from the dot and dash line position to the full line position. This brings the trip roller to the full line position of Fig. 1 and into the position of Fig. 3. At this point the valve operating member 5| is in the position of Fig. 4 wherein the valve band is held in closed position. As the drum rotates, however, one of the projecting arms will engage the trip roller 10, as shown in Fig. 3, causing the valve operating member to be rotated from the position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 3. This causes the cam engaging rollers 5! and El to be moved from the spread position of Fig. 4 to the position of Fig. 3. Through the lever arms 63-62 and 64-65 the ends of the band valve 42 are spread to the position of Fig. 3, thus moving the valve away from the sealing rings 43 as shown in Fig. 1. The spent 7 liquid can now pass through the openings 32 in the Wall 3| into the discharge chamber 34, and can then escape from the openings 31 into a surrounding trough 15. The trough 15 surrounds the discharge chamber 34. and is supported on the stationary frame as at 16. At the bottom ofthe trough 15 is a discharge opening 11.

As soon as the valve operating member 5| has been tripped to open the valve 42 the hand lever 14 should be returned to the dot and dash position of Figure 1 so that the valve member will not be again tripped until after all of the liquid has been discharged After the liquid has been discharged and before the'dl'um is used again the hand lever 14 is again turned to the full line position of Fig. l to cause tripping of the valve operating member and rotation of said member 90 from the position of Fig. 3 back to position of Fig, 4. It isobvious that when the valve operating member is in the position of Fig. 4 that the band valve 42 is in closed position.

The true circular portions 54 and 55 at the high points of the cam tend to retainthe valve operating member in the position of Fig. 4. so that the valve band is maintained tightly in closed position. In addition the slight kinks at less there. is a positive trippingof the valve operating member, there is no danger of accidental rotation thereof.

While the use of the auxiliary discharge chamber 34- and theinner apertured wall 3|.is p 'ee ferred, it is obvious the wall 3| may be omitted completely. Various other changes and modifications may be'made within the spirit of the invention and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope. of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum. rotatable in said frame-and having liquidopenings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, valve. operating means on the drum having a projecting arm, and a movable trip member on the frame engageable with said arm as the drum rotates and when the tripping member is in operative position to cause movement of the valve operating means and movement of the band valve toward or away from the liquid openings.

2. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with. the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, cam actuated valve operating means on the drum having a projecting arm, and a movable trip member on the frame engageable with said arm as the drum rotates and when the tripping member is in operative position to cause movement of the valve operating means and movement of the band valve toward or away from the liquid openings.

3. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having. liquid openings in a portion of it periphery, a band valve rotatable With the drum for controlling, the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a cam member rotatably mounted .on the drum and having a cam groove'therein and also having a projecting arm, a lever pivoted to the drum and connected to said band valve to operate the latter, and means including a cam-fo1lower pivotally supported on said drum and engaging said cam groove for operating said lever.

4. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a cam member rotatably mounted on the drum and having a cam groove therein and also having a projecting arm, a pair of levers pivoted to said drum, one of said levers being connected to each end of the band valve, and means including cam followers pivotally supported on said drum and engaging said :cam groove for operating said levers simultaneously.

5. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having spaced parallel walls near one end defining an auxiliary chamber therebetween, the inner wall having liquid openings communicating with the interior of the drum proper, and there being a peripheral wall portion joining said spaced walls which is formed with liquid discharge openings, a contractible band valve rotatable with the drum and supported entirely thereon for-controlling the discharge of liquid from said openings, and means including a control on the frame for operatingxsaid band valve while the: drum is rotating.

6. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having spaced parallel walls 'near' one end defining an auxiliary chamber therebetweemthe inner wall having liquid openings communicating with the interior of the drum proper, and there being a peripheral Wall portion joining said spaced walls which is formed with .liquid discharge openings, a band valve rotatable with. the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said openings, means for operating said band valve, a supply conduit for washing liquids, means including a rotating joint for connecting said supply conduit with the auxiliarychamber, and means on the exterior of the drum surrounding said rotating joint and communicating with the auxiliarychamber for collecting liquid whichxleaks from said joint and for directing the. same into said auxiliary chamber.

7.. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings therein, a valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said open-' ings, valve operating means on the drum including a cam movably mounted on an end wall of the drum near the periphery thereof, an arm projecting from said cam and adapted to project beyond the periphery of the drum when the cam is in a predetermined position, and a movable tripping member onthe frame engageable with said arm as the drum rotates and when the tripping member is in operative position to cause movement of the valve operating means and movement of the valve toward or away from the liquid openings.

8'. In a washingmachine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said'frame and having liquid openings therein, a valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said openings, valve operating means on the drum including a cam rotatably mounted on an end wall of the drum, a pluralityof arms projecting from said cam member, each arm being of alength to project beyond the periphery of the drum when the cam is in a predetermined position, and a movable tripping member on the frame engageable with one of said arms as the drum rotates and when the tripping member is in operative position to cause movement of the alve operating mean-s and movement of the. valve toward or away from the liquid openings.

9. In a washin machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a cam member rotatably mounted on the drum and having an oval cam groove surrounding its axis of rotation, said cam member also having a projecting arm, a pair of levers pivoted to said drum, one of said levers being connected to each end of the band valve, and means including a pair of cam followers pivotally supported on said drum and engaging opposite portions of said cam groove for operating said levers simultaneously.

10. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a cam member rotatably mounted on the drum and having an oval cam groove surrounding its axis of rotation, said cam member also having a projecting arm, a pair of levers pivoted to said drum,

one of said levers being connected to each end of the band valve, and means including a pair of cam followers pivotally supported on said drum and engaging opposite portions of said cam groove for operating said levers simultaneously, said cam groove being shaped to temporarily maintain the followers in either the valve opening or valve closing position.

11. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a band valve rotatable with the drum for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a cam member rotatably mounted on the drum and having an oval cam groove surrounding its axis of rotation, said cam member also having four equally spaced radially projecting arms, a pair of levers pivoted to said drum, one of said levers being connected to each end of the band valve, means including cam followers pivotally supported on said drum and engaging said cam groove for operating said levers simultaneously, and a movable tripping member on the frame engageable with one of the projecting arms of the cam member as the drum rotates and when the tripping member is in operative position to cause rotation of the cam member 90 and movement of the valve toward or away from the liquid openings.

12. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a contractible ring shaped band valve having end portions which terminate near each other rotatable with the drum and positioned adjacent the portion of the periphery of the drum having the peripheral openings for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, means supporting said end portions of said band valve on the drum and including at least one valve operating lever on the drum, and means including a control on the frame for operating said lever and valve when the drum is rotating.

13. In a washing machine, a frame, ,a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a split, contractible ring shaped band valve rotatable with the drum and positioned adjacent the portion of the periphery of the drum having the peripheral openings for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings and having end portions, means on the drum for supporting one of the ends of the band valve, means on the drum for supporting the other end of the band valve, at least one of said means being a pivoted lever for causing opening and closing movement of the valve, operating mechanism on the drum for operating said lever, and means including a control on the frame for initiating the operation of said lever operating mechanism while the drum is rotating.

14. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery, a split, contractible ring shaped band valve rotatable with the drum and positioned adjacent the portion of the periphery of the drum having the peripheral openings for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, a pair of levers pivoted to said drum, one of said levers bein connected to each end of the band valve, operating mechanism supported on the drum for operating said levers simultaneously, and means including a control on the frame for initiating the operation of the lever operating mechanism while the drum is rotating.

15. In a washing machine, a frame, a drum rotatable in said frame and having liquid openings in a portion of its periphery near one end thereof, a split, contractible ring shaped band valve rotatable with the drum and positioned adjacent the portion of the periphery having the peripheral openings for controlling the discharge of liquid from said peripheral openings, means supporting the end portions of said band valve on an end wall of the drum and including at least one valve operating lever on said end wall, and means including a control on the frame for operating said lever and valve when the drum is rotating.

JOHN P. J ORGENSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED-STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,751,982 Dunham Mar. 25, 1930 1,950,732 Kirby Mar. 13, 1934 2,292,789 Matthews Aug. 11, 1942 1,948,279

Schildman Feb. 20, 1934 

